Welcome

On behalf of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, I want to welcome and invite you to see our Four Seasons Country through this exciting publication. We are very proud of the area we serve, which includes portions of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia. This region has a rich history that includes agricultural based economy and, more importantly, a tradition rooted in the coal mining industry. The area still has some of the richest seams of coal, and is recognized for its high quality. We are also blessed with four distinct seasons that afford unique advantages for anyone looking for a variety of living conditions.

The economy of our area has changed over the years as industry has gone through phases. Coal mining remains a staple of the area economy, however, a shift has occurred to light manufacturing and a more service-based economy. Healthcare and education are now the driving economic forces that fuel our area.

The one element that sets us apart from other areas is the quality of life offered here, and it is reflected in our people. Our workforce lives by an ethic of hard work, is well-trained and is loyal to the region. Businesses that locate here enjoy the benefits of this workforce.

We are very pleased to present this publication to you. Many hours have gone into making this project a reality, and a great number of people have been involved. The Chamber staff has been busy, but most of the work has been done by volunteers. These people are the leaders in our community, and willingly give their time and talents for many area projects. We cannot thank them enough for all of their commitment to making our area better.

We hope you enjoy this profile. After reading it, we are sure you will want to learn more about life in the Greater Bluefield area. Please contact us if we can help you. We look forward to seeing you soon.